Speculum cover, method of manufacturing same and cover accommodating case

ABSTRACT

A sensor probe cover (20) is composed of two substantially square transparent films (21) and (22) and a ring (23) having a hole (23a) suitable for being mated with a sensor probe (12). The center of the first film (21) is provided with a hole (21a), and the ring (23) is fused to the inner periphery of the hole (21a) on the inner surface of the first film (21). The ring (23) is made of a material harder than that of the films. The first film (21) and the second film (22) are thermally fused together at the four corners of these films. The thermally fused locations are indicated at (20a). When used in the cover of the probe of an infrared thermometer, the second film (22) is made of a material transparent to infrared radiation. When the tip of the probe (12) is pressed into the ring (23) from above the second film (22), the probe (12) is covered while the second film (22) is folded back. The fitting on of the cover is completed when the ring (23) fits into an annular groove (12a) of the probe (12).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a cover fitted over a sensor probe,particularly a disposable sanitary (for the purpose of preventinginfection) cover, a method of manufacturing the cover and a case orstand suitable for use in order to accommodate the cover or for when thecover is attached to the probe. In particular this cover is suitable fora cover fitted over a probe of an infrared thermometer.

BACKGROUND ART

An infrared thermometer is equipped with a probe protruding outwardlyfrom pare of a case body. The distal end of the probe is open and isprovided internally with a radiant-energy temperature sensor (athermopile, for example). When the tip of the probe is inserted slightlyinto the ear canal, heat rays (infrared rays) emitted from the externalear impinge upon the radiant-energy temperature sensor. The temperaturesensor is connected to a temperature measurement circuit provided in thecase body. The measurement circuit determines body temperature basedupon the output of the temperature sensor. Thus, the infraredthermometer is capable of measuring body temperature in a short periodof time basically without making contact (at least the temperaturesensor does not contact the human body).

In order to prevent the transmission of various diseases, a sanitarycover is fitted over the tip of the probe of the infrared thermometer atthe time of temperature measurement. The sanitary cover is replaced foreach individual (patient) subjected to measurement and is discardedafter use.

Typical examples of such a cover fitted over the probe of a speculumwhich includes an infrared thermometer are described in U. S. Pat. No.4,662,360 and EP-A-419,100.

A sanitary cover described in the former comprises a tubular body and amembrane, which is transparent to infrared radiation, covering anopening at the tip of the tubular body. The tubular body is fabricatedby injection molding and the membrane is attached thereto by thermalwelding.

The probe cover described in the latter comprises a sheath fitted on aprobe and having a closed distal end face serving as a window, and aring attached to a base end of the sheath by ultrasonic welding andengaged with the probe. The sheath is produced using a forming punch.

Since both covers comprise two individually fabricated parts that arecombined, the separate parts are costly and considerable labor isinvolved in manufacture. An additional problem is low productivity sincebatch treatment is unavoidable, thus making it impossible to work thecovers continuously.

The simplest structure is one in which two small holes are formed in theend or edge of a rectangular or circular film (sheet). The film is usedto cover the tip of the probe and is secured by engaging the holes withprojection provided on the base end of the probe.

Since this probe cover is such that the holes are merely formed in thefilm, problems arise in that it is difficult to attach the cover to theprobe. Moreover, the film tends to shift from the attached position. Ifthe film shifts or becomes detached, its infection preventing functionis lost.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sensor probe cover capable of beingproduced inexpensively at a high productivity.

The present invention further provides a sensor probe cover which has asimple structure, is easy to fit over a probe and will not readilybecome detached.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing theabove-described sensor probe cover.

The present invention further provides a jig which is ideal when theabove-described sensor probe cover is fitted over the probe.

A sensor probe cover according to the present invention comprises afirst film formed to have a first hole at a central portion thereof, afitting ring fixed to a periphery of the first hole of the first filmand having a second hole suitable for being fitted on a sensor probe towhich the cover is to be attached, and a second film overlapping oneside of the first film and bonded to the first film at a plurality oflocations.

Here the term "film" is a generic expression indicating a thin,flexible, two-dimensional member of some expanse and is intended tocover the meaning of a member referred to as a sheet or other similarterm.

There is no limitation upon the material constituting the first film solong as the first film retains the fitting ring and achieves thefunction of connecting the fitting ring and the second film.

As will be understood from the method of fitting the cover on the probedescribed later, the second film penetrates the ring together with theprobe so as to cover the tip of the probe when the cover is fitted overthe probe. As a result, the material constituting the second film isselected to be one which will readily follow up motion of the probewithout tearing.

It is required that the second film be transparent to infrared radiationin order that the probe cover according to the present invention may bemade one suitable for being fitted over the sensor probe of an infraredthermometer.

In a case where the probe covers are produced continuously as describedlater, adopting the same material for both the first and second films isadvantageous is terms of cost and ease of manufacture.

The fitting ring is fitted onto the probe at a suitable location and itis so arranged that the cover will not readily become detached from theprobe. Accordingly, a material having an appropriate hardness would beselected for the ring. The shape of the ring, especially the shape ofthe inner periphery thereof, would be decided in conformity with thecross-sectional configuration of the proper probe.

The method of fitting the probe cover over the sensor probe is asfollows: The tip of the probe is inserted into the ring, which isprovided on the first film, from the side of the second film. When thisis done, the second film also is caused to pass through the hole in thering and is folded over the probe tip by following up the penetratingmotion of the probe tip. The fitting on of the probe cover is completedwhen a suitable location near the base of the probe is fitted into orengaged with the ring. The result is that the tip of the probe iscovered by the second film.

The first film also is pulled by the second film and folded back whenthe second film is folded over the probe tip as the probe penetrates thering. In order that such deformation of the second and first films mayproceed stably and smoothly, it is required that a substantially uniformforce act upon the first and second films about the center of the ring.

To this end, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefirst and second films are bonded at a plurality of locationssubstantially equidistant from the center of the fitting ring and spacedapart substantially equiangularly. For example, in a case where thefirst and second films are rectangular (preferably square or nearlysquare), the films are bonded together at their four corners.

Thus, the probe cover according to the present invention is composed ofthree parts, namely the first and second films and the fitting ringsecured to the first film. Inexpensive materials can be used for each ofthese parts and the structure of the cover is simple as well.Consequently, the probe cover can be provided at low cost. Moreover,since the cover can be attached to the probe merely by inserting the tipof the probe in the ring, the operation for attaching the cover issimple. Since the ring is fitted onto or engaged with the probe, thecover will not readily fall off.

The present invention provides a chain of interconnected covers in whicha plurality of the above-mentioned probe covers are continuouslyconnected in the form of a strip. The chain of interconnected coverscomprises a first strip-shaped film in which first holes are formed atregular intervals in a longitudinal direction, each first hole having afitting ring secured to the periphery thereof, and a second strip-shapedfilm overlapping the first strip-shaped film and bonded to the firststrip-shaped film over a plurality of locations nearly midway betweenthe fitting rings. A portion between bonded locations bracketing afitting ring constructs one cover.

The chain of interconnected covers can be separated into individualprobe covers by severing it at the boundaries between mutually adjacentcovers.

Preferably intermittent slits are provided along the boundary linesbetween covers so that the covers can be easily detached without using acutting tool such as scissors, a cutter or the like.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing the chain ofinterconnected covers described above. The method of manufacturecomprises forming first holes in a first strip-shaped film at regularintervals in a longitudinal direction thereof, detachably forming ringsin a strip-shaped film for rings at regular intervals in a longitudinaldirection thereof, superimposing the first strip-shaped film and thestrip-shaped film for rings in such a manner that the rings are situatedat the peripheries of the first holes, fixing the rings in theperipheries of the first holes of the first strip-shaped film anddetaching the rings from the strip-shaped film for rings, and bondingthe first strip-shaped film and the second strip-shaped film at aplurality of locations nearly midway between the fitting rings whilesuperimposing the second strip-shaped film on the first strip-shapedfilm to which the rings are fixed.

In general, the first strip-shaped film, the strip-shaped film for ringsand the second strip-shaped film would be subjected to theabove-described work while being unwound from a first film roll, a filmroll for rings and a second film roll, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, a boundary line is formed intermediate therings.

The boundary line preferably is a discontinuous cutting line.

In accordance with the present invention, the chain of interconnectedcovers can be manufactured while the first strip-shaped film, thestrip-shaped film for rings and the second strip-shaped film are made totravel in continuous fashion. This makes it possible to raiseproductivity and provide the cover at low cost.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a cover attaching standideal for use when the above-described probe cover is fitted over thesensor probe.

The cover attaching stand includes a base plate, which is held by legsor walls at a position having a prescribed height, for allowing a probecover to be placed thereon, the base plate having a probe insertion holeof a size corresponding to the inner diameter of the fitting ring.

The diameter of the probe insertion hole generally would be slightlylarger than the inner diameter of the fitting ring.

When the probe cover is fitted over the probe using the cover attachingstand, first the probe cover is placed on the base plate with the secondfilm being placed on the upper side, and the cover is positioned in sucha manner that the ring of the cover is made to substantially agree withthe position of the insertion hole in the base plate. The probe is theninserted in the ring from above the second film. At this time the ringis reliably supported at the portion of the base plate where theperiphery of the insertion hole is located. As a result, the probe canbe advanced into the ring without causing the ring to deform. If thering is fitted into or engaged with the probe, the fitting of the coveron the probe is finished. The probe then need only be raised from theinsertion hole.

When the cover attaching stand according to the present invention isused in this manner, the probe cover can be attached to the probe withfacility.

The present invention further provides a cover accommodating case inwhich the above-described chain of interconnected covers is placed inadvance, the case being suitable for fitting a cover, which is containedin the chain of interconnected covers, over a probe.

The cover accommodating case has a case body defined by side walls and abottom wall, and a lid provided on the case body, so as to be free toopen and close, in such a manner that at least a portion of an openingin a top side of the case body is covered, the lid being formed to havea sensor probe insertion hole of a size corresponding to the innerdiameter of the rings provided on the chain of interconnected coversaccommodated within the case body, and a guide for pulling out the chainof interconnected covers accommodated within the case body.

The cover accommodating case can be expressed as follows: Specifically,the cover accommodating case according to the present inventioncomprises a case body defined by side walls and a bottom wall, and a lidprovided on the case body, so as to be free to open and close, in such amanner that at least a portion of an opening in a top side of the casebody is covered, the lid being formed to have a sensor probe insertionhole of a size corresponding to the inner diameter of the rings providedon the chain of interconnected covers accommodated within the case body,and the opening in the top side of the case body not covered by the lidor an opening formed in the lid serving as an aperture for pulling outthe chain of interconnected covers accommodated within the case body.

A first feature of the cover accommodating case is that the chain ofinterconnected covers can be accommodated within the case.

A second feature is that a portion of the chain of interconnectedcovers, which is accommodated within the case, substantiallycorresponding to one cover can be pulled out along the above-mentionedguide or through the above-mentioned aperture and supplied in order tobe fitted over the probe by being placed upon the lid with the secondstrip-shaped film on the upper side. The fitting of a portioncorresponding to one cover over the probe is carried out by passing thetip of the probe through the ring from above the second strip-shapedfilm in a state in which the ring of the portion corresponding to onecover has been made to coincide with the probe insertion hole of thelid, in the same manner as in the case of the above-described stand forattaching the cover.

After the portion corresponding to one cover has been fitted over theprobe, the latter is withdrawn upwardly from the insertion hole and thechain of interconnected covers is pulled out of the interior of the caseby an amount equivalent to one cover. If the boundary between theportion fitted on the probe and the cover portion that has been pulledout is cut, this will complete the operation for attaching the cover.

If a cutting line is formed along the boundary between the covers of thechain of interconnected covers in the manner described above, theattached cover can be severed from the chain of interconnected coverswith ease.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention for the purpose offacilitating this severing operation, a guide is molded in a portionfacing the opening in the upper side of the case body not covered by thelid or the opening formed in the lid. A retaining member is provided onthe case body in a freely erectable manner so as to cover this openingand overlap a part of the cover.

If a portion connected to the chain of interconnected covers inside thecase is pressed by this retaining member, only the cover that has beenfitted over the probe can be readily severed and detached at thelocation of the cutting line.

One more advantage of the cover accommodating case is that the cover canbe fitted over the probe and the fitted cover can be severed from thechain of interconnected covers without the hand of the user touching thecover and the probe. This is highly hygienic.

A cover accommodating case according to one more embodiment provided bythe present invention comprises a case body defined by side walls and abottom wall, and a lid provided on the case body, so as to be free toopen and close, in such a manner that at least a portion of an openingin a top side of the case body is covered, the lid being formed to havea cut-out, for sensor probe insertion, having a width corresponding tothe inner diameter of rings provided on a chain of interconnectedcovers, which is accommodated within the case body, and extending to oneside wall, and the one side wall being formed to have a cut-out forguiding a sensor probe, which has been inserted into the cut-out forsensor probe insertion, to the outside of the case.

When this cover accommodating case is used, one cover connected to thechain is fitted over the probe, after which the probe can be pulled outin the horizontal direction through the cut-out in the one side wall ofthe case. This greatly facilitates operability in terms of fitting thecover over the probe.

It goes without saying that this cover accommodating case also can beprovided with the retaining member.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from a description of embodiments made with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the entirety of an infraredthermometer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the probe cover;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are sectional views illustrating a procedure for fittinga cover over a probe;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a cover attaching stand, in which FIG. 4 is aplan view and FIG. 5 a side view;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a chain of interconnectedcovers;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a process for manufacturing the chain ofinterconnected covers, in which FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing thefirst half of the process, FIG. 8 a plan view of a strip-shaped film forrings and FIG. 9 a perspective view showing the second half of theprocess;

FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a cover accommodating case, in which:

FIG. 10 is a side view of the cover accommodating case;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the cover accommodating case; FIG. 12 is asectional view taken along line XII--XII of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 shows a front side and a back side of the cover accommodatingcase, in which the right half illustrates the front and the left halfillustrates the back;

FIGS. 14a through 14d show a procedure for fitting a cover over thesensor probe using the cover accommodating case; and

FIGS. 15 through 17 illustrate another embodiment of the coveraccommodating case, in which:

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the cover accommodating case;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the cover accommodating case; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of the cover accommodating case.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the external appearance of an infrared thermometer.

An infrared thermometer 10 has a case 11 made to have a shape suitablefor being grasped by the hand. The tip of the case 11 is curved at aninclined angle and is provided with a probe 12. The tip of the probe 12is open and the interior of the opening accommodates aradiant-temperature sensor (not shown). Incident infrared radiation fromthe opening of the probe 12 is sensed by the temperature sensor. Theoutput signal of the temperature sensor is applied to a temperaturemeasurement circuit provided inside the case 11. The temperature isdetermined by the temperature measurement circuit. The temperaturedetermined is displayed on a liquid-crystal display device 14 providedon the base portion of the case 11. The base portion of the case 11 isfurther provided with a power-supply switch 13.

The probe 12 is shaped so that its cross section is circular, with theprobe narrowing toward its tip. The base portion of the probe 12 isformed to have an annular groove 12a, which is useful for securing aprobe cover described later. The periphery of the base portion of probe12 is provided with a release pipe 16 that is free to advance andretract. The release pipe 16 ordinarily is in the retracted position andis made to project, as indicated by the chain line, by pressing arelease button 15 in the direction of the arrow. The release pipe 16 isuseful for removing a cover that has been attached to the probe 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the probe cover.

A probe cover 20 comprises two substantially square films 21 and 22 anda ring 23. The first film 21 is provided with a hole 21a in the centerthereof. The ring 23, which has a hole 23a, is thermally fused to theinner side of the first film 21. The centers of the holes 21a and 23asubstantially coincide. The holes 21a and 23a are of approximately thesame size, though it is preferred that the hole 23a of ring 23 beslightly smaller than the hole 21a. The first film 21 and the secondfilm 22 are thermally fused together at the locations (indicated at 20a)of their four corners.

The material of the probe cover 20 to be fitted over the probe 12 of theinfrared thermometer is such that the second film 22 is transparent toinfrared radiation. Though the material of the first film 21 is not aproblem, the materials of both films 21 and 22 should be made the samein order to raise the productivity of the probe cover. The films 21 and22 preferably are transparent. The ring 23 is thicker and harder thanthe films 21, 22. The ring 23 may be affixed to the outer side of thefilm 21 rather than the inner side thereof.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a method of fitting the above-described probecover 20 over the probe 12 of the infrared thermometer. It is preferredthat use be made of a cover attaching stand 40 of the kind shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

The cover attaching stand 40 comprises a base plate 41 and legs 42supporting the base plate 41. The base plate 41 is provided with a probeinsertion hole 41a. A cylinder 43 having a space communicating with theinsertion hole 41a is secured to the underside of the base plate 41. Thecylinder 43 is for guiding the probe 12. The inner diameter of the probeinsertion hole 41a is slightly larger than the inner diameter of thehole 23a of the ring 23 of cover 20.

With reference now to FIG. 3a, the probe cover 20 is placed upon thebase plate 41 of the cover attaching stand 40 with the first film 21disposed on the lower side, and the cover is so arranged that the centerof the ring 23 and the center of the insertion hole 41a substantiallycoincide.

With reference to FIG. 3b, the probe 12 of the infrared thermometer ispressed into the ring 23 from above the second film 22 of the cover 20.When this is done, the second film 22 on the upper side covers the tipof the probe 12 while it is folded back as the tip of the probe 12penetrates the ring 23, the hole 41a and the interior of the cylinder43. The film 21 on the lower side also is pulled by the film 22 on theupper side and therefore is deformed. If the probe 12 is pushed infurther, the ring 23 fits into the annular groove 12aat the base portionof the probe. As a result, the probe 12 is completely covered by thecover 20, especially the second film 22, thereby completing thepreparations for measurement of body temperature.

The ring 23 is for assuring that the cover 20 fitted onto or engagedwith the base portion of the probe 12 will not readily become detached.Accordingly, the shape and size of the hole 23a are decided independence upon the shape and size of the location on the probe 12 thatmates with the ring.

The probe attaching stand 40 supports the cover 20 inclusive of the ring23. In particular, the insertion hole 41a of the base plate 41 shouldsupport the ring 23 of cover 20 against the insertion of the probe 12.Accordingly, the shape of the insertion hole 41a is not limited to acircular shape but may be triangular or rectangular. The legs 42 of theattaching stand 40 should hold the base plate 41 at a position whoseheight is greater than the length of the probe 12.

The probe 12 over which the cover 20 has been fitted in the mannerdescribed above is inserted into the ear canal so that body temperaturecan be measured through a prescribed operating procedure. If the releasebutton 15 is pressed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 after theend of body temperature measurement, the release pipe 16 thrust forwardto forcibly detach the ring 23 of the cover 20 from the annular groove12a. The cover 20 is removed from the probe 12 as a result.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chain of interconnected covers.

A chain of interconnected covers 30 consists of a plurality of the probecovers 20, shown in FIG. 2, linked successively into the form of astrip. The boundary between neighboring covers 20 is providedintermittently with a cutting line (slits) (so-called perforations) 31.This makes it possible to separate individual covers 20 from the chain30 with facility. It is preferred that the chain of interconnectedcovers 30 be supplied in a form wound upon a cylindrical core.

FIGS. 7 through 9 illustrate a method of manufacturing the chain ofinterconnected covers.

With reference to FIG. 7, a first strip-shaped film 21A unwound from afirst film roll and a strip-shaped film 23A for rings unwound from afilm roll for rings are processed while traveling along respectivetravel paths.

The first strip-shaped film 21A is provided with first holes 21a atregular intervals by a roller 51 equipped with a hole forming cutter.

The strip-shaped film 23A for rings is formed to have the rings 23 atregular intervals equal to those of the first holes 21a by a roller 53equipped with a ring forming cutter. As shown in FIG. 8, each ring 23has the hole 23a on its inner side, and the outer periphery of the ringis defined by a plurality of arcuate slits 56. The ring 23 is connectedto the film 23A by the portions at which the slits 56 are discontinuous.Since these connecting portions are very small, the ring 23 is capableof being detached from the film 23A with ease.

The first strip-shaped film 21A formed to have the holes 21a and thestrip-shaped film 23A for rings formed to have the rings 23 aresuperimposed at the position of a roller 52 in such a manner that theholes 21a and the holes 23a of the rings 23 substantially coincide. Byvirtue of the roller 52, which has a ring-shaped heating portion forthermal fusion, the rings 23 are fused onto the periphery of the holes21a of the strip-shaped film 21A in the course of passing by theposition of the roller 51, and the rings 23 are detached from thestrip-shaped film 23A for the rings.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a second strip-shaped film 22A unwound from asecond film roll is introduced to the path of travel of the firststrip-shaped film 21A onto which the rings 23 have been fused. As bothfilms 21A and 22A travel while superimposed, they are fused together atfour locations approximately midway between the rings 23 by a roller 54having a plurality of heating portions for fusing purposes. In otherwords, fused sites 20a are formed.

Furthermore, intermittent slits 31 are provided in the width directionat positions exactly midway between the rings 23 by a roller 55 having acutter (a perforation cutter) arrayed intermittently in a single row.The positions of the slits 31 are the boundary lines of the individualcovers 20.

Predetermined lengths of the chain of interconnected covers thusmanufactured are wound into individual rolls to obtain the finalproduct.

Thus, the hole forming roller, the ring forming roller, the fusingroller and the roller having the perforation cutter are arranged so asto form a line, and the chain of interconnected covers is manufacturedwhile the strip-shaped films serving as the material travel along theline. The result is improved productivity.

FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a cover accommodating case suitable foraccommodating the chain of interconnected covers 30 manufactured as setforth above and for fitting a part of the chain 30 over the probe of theinfrared thermometer while the chain is pulled out.

A cover accommodating case 60 is made of a synthetic resin such asplastic and comprises a case body 61, a lid 62 attached to one side ofthe top of the case body 61 so as to be free to open and close, and aretaining member 66 provided on the other side of the top of the casebody in a freely erectable manner.

The case body 61 comprises four side surfaces and a bottom surface andhas a hollow interior capable of accommodating the product, namely thechain of interconnected covers wound in roll form.

The lid 62 is attached by a hinge 65 to the upper end of one side wall(this shall be referred to as the front side) of the case body 61 so asto be free to open and close. The hinge 65 comprises a comparativelythin-walled portion connected to the side wall. The lid 62 is sized tocover substantially two-thirds to three-fourths of the opening in thetop side of the case body 61; the portion of the opening not covered bythe lid 62 is left in the top side of the case body 61.

The lid 62 is provided with a probe insertion opening 63 at a locationsituated substantially in the center as seen from the top side of thecase body 61. The insertion opening 63 is larger than the hole 23a inthe ring 23 of the cover 20. A cylindrical portion 64 extends downwardfrom the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 63. Furthermore, adownwardly extending guide 68 is integrally formed on the edge of thelid 63 on the side thereof opposite the hinge 65. The guide 68 includesa plurality of semicircular fins provided in parallel and is for thepurpose of allowing the chain of interconnected covers 30 accommodatedwithin the case main body 61 to be pulled out smoothly to the top sideof the lid 62 from inside the case body 61.

The upper ends of the side walls of the case body 61 (the wall surfacesperpendicular to the front wall on which the hinge 65 is provided) areslightly lower (by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the lid 62)at the portion covered by the lid 62 and slightly higher at the portionnot covered by the lid 62. These wall portions are formed to haveflanges 61a, which project outwardly a small amount, along their upperedges. Pieces 62A extend downwardly from portions on both sides of thelid 62, and an engaging projection 62a is provided on the inner side ofeach piece 62A. The projection 62a engages the lower side of the flange61a when the lid 62 is closed, whereby the lid 62 is held in the closedstate.

The retaining member 66 is attached, so as to be free to open and close,on the upper end of the back wall of the case body 61 by a hinge 67.This hinge 67 also comprises a thin-walled portion formed as an integralpart of the case body 61, just as in the case of hinge 65. Accordingly,the retaining member 66 is biased upward, in the upstanding direction,owing to the resilience possessed by the hinge 67. When the retainingmember 66 is closed it covers the portion of the opening not covered bythe lid 62 of case body 61 and overlaps part of the lid 62.

Both sides of the retaining member 66 also are provided with downwardlyextending pieces 66A, each of which has an engaging projection 66aformed on the lower portion of its inner side. The projections 66a arespaced away from the flanges 61a when the retaining member 66 is in theclosed state. As indicated by the chain line in FIG. 10, the projections66a act to limit the angle through which the retaining member 66 iserected. That is, the projections 66a engage with the flanges 61a whenthe retaining member 66 is in a state in which it has been erectedthrough a certain angle.

The lower surface at the edge of the distal end of the retaining member66 is formed to have a small retaining rib 66b which abuts against theupper surface of the lid 62 when the retaining member 66 is closed.

Furthermore, a cover 69 (see FIG. 12) is provided to cover the case body61 when the lid 62 and retaining member 66 are in the closed state.

The method of using the cover accommodating case 60 is illustrated inFIGS. 14a through 14d.

First, the chain of interconnected covers 30 wound into the form of aroll is placed inside the cover accommodating case 60 as a preparatorystep. The cover 69 of the case 60 is removed, the retaining member 66and the lid 62 are opened, the roll-shaped chain of interconnectedcovers 30 is placed inside the case 60 and part of the chain is pulledout. The lid 62 is closed and the retaining member 66 is placed in thehalf-open state (a state in which the engaging projections 66a areengaged with the flanges 61a). The part of the chain of interconnectedcovers 30 that has been pulled out is placed upon the lid 62. It isrequired that the chain of interconnected covers 30 be accommodatedwithin the case 60 in such a manner that the first film 21 is disposedon the lower side and the second film 22 on the upper side on the lid62.

The hole 23a of one of the rings 23 on part of the chain ofinterconnected covers 30 (namely the part corresponding to a singleprobe cover 20) pulled out onto the lid 62 is placed in a state in whichit is substantially registered with the insertion hole 63 in the lid 62(see FIG. 14a).

The probe 12 of the infrared thermometer 10 is pressed into the hole 23aof the ring 23 from above the second film 22 (see FIG. 14b) in the samemanner as set forth in the cover attaching method described above. Whenthe ring 23 fits into the annular groove 12aof the probe 12, this meansthat the cover 20 has been fitted over the probe 12.

The probe 12 is raised and pulled out of the insertion hole 63 after thecover 20 has been fitted on the probe. The probe 12 is then movedsubstantially horizontally to pull the chain of interconnected coversuntil the boundary line between the attached cover 20 and the nextadjacent cover arrives at the front edge of the lid 62 (see FIG. 14c).

The retaining member 66 is pressed down to clamp part of the chain ofinterconnected covers 30 on the lid 62 between itself and the lid 62. Ifthe probe 12 is now pulled further to the side under these conditions,the intermittent slits forming the boundary line tear so that the cover20 that has been fitted over the probe 12 is detached from the chain 30(see FIG. 14d).

If the distance from the center of the ring 23 in the cover 20 to theedge of one side of the cover 20 and the distance from the center of theinsertion hole 63 in the lid 62 of the case 60 to the front edge of thecase 60 are made approximately equal, then the ring 23 of the next cover20 remaining on the lid 62 will assume a state in which it substantiallycoincides with the insertion hole 63 in the lid 62. This makes itpossible to prepare for the fitting on of the next cover.

FIGS. 15 through 17 illustrate another embodiment of the coveraccommodating case. Components in these drawings identical with thoseshown in FIGS. 10 through 13 are designated by like characters and neednot be described again.

In this cover accommodating case indicated at 60A, the lid 62 is formedto have a U-shaped cut-out 63A instead of the circular probe insertionhole. Further, the front wall of the case body 61 is formed to have aU-shaped cut-out 61A that communicates with the cut-out 63A.

The cut-out 63A allows the probe 12 to be pressed into the ring 23 ofthe cover 20 when the cover is fitted over the probe. It also allows theprobe 12 fitted with the cover 20 to be pulled out of the case. Thecut-out 61A also allows the probe 12 to be pulled out of the case.

More specifically, according to this embodiment, after the cover 20 hasbeen fitted over the probe 12, the probe 12 can be withdrawn from case60A merely by moving the probe 12 in the horizontal direction without itbeing lifted. This greatly facilitates the operation for fitting on thecover.

Industrial Applicability

The speculum cover including the probe cover of the infraredthermometer, the method of manufacturing the speculum cover and thecover accommodating case are capable of being utilized in the medicalequipment industry.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor probe cover comprising:a first film formed to have a first hole at a central portion thereof; a fitting ring fixed to a periphery of the first hole of said first film and having a second hole configured to be fitted on a sensor probe to which the cover is to be attached; a second film overlapping one side of said first film and bonded to said first film at a plurality of locations and not bonded to said fitting ring, wherein a portion of said second film that is larger in unstretched surface area than an area of the second hole and is not bonded to said first film is available to pass through said second hole to cover a sensor probe without substantial stretching.
 2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said first film and said second film are bonded at a plurality of locations substantially equidistant from the center of said fitting ring and spaced apart substantially equiangularly.
 3. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said first film and said second film are rectangular and are bonded together at their four corners.
 4. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said second film exhibits transparency to infrared radiation so as to be suitable for being fitted over the sensor probe of an infrared thermometer.
 5. A sensor probe cover comprising:a flexible support member formed to have a hole configured to be fitted on a sensor probe to which a cover is to be attached; and a film superimposed on said support member and bonded to said support member at a plurality of locations, wherein a portion of the film that is larger in unstretched surface area than an area of the hole and is not bonded to said support member is available to pass through the hole to cover a sensor probe without substantial stretching.
 6. The cover according to claim 5, wherein at least a periphery of said hole of said support member is more rigid than said film.
 7. The cover according to claim 5, wherein said support member comprises a film formed to have a first hole at a central portion thereof; anda fitting ring fixed to a periphery of the first hole of this film and having a second hole suitable for being fitted on the sensor probe to which the cover is to be attached.
 8. The cover according to claim 5, wherein said support member and said film are bonded at a plurality of locations substantially equidistant from the center of said hole and spaced apart substantially equiangularly. 